Low quad mold control mechanism



May l5, 1934. Ah BECK m- AL 1,958,809

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l May15, 1934. A. H. BECK Er Al.

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May '16, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mayl5, 1934. A. H. BECK Er AL 1,958,809

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lunPatented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Arthur H. Beck andFrank C. Botz, Jefferson City, Mo.

Application May 16, 1932, Serial No. 611,724

5 Claims.

This invention relates in general toautomatic type casting and composingmachines and more particularly has reference to a method of, and meansfor, actuating the mold mechanism used for casting low quads in suchmachines.

In one type of automatic type casting and composing machines in commonuse, the mold used for casting high and low quads is provided with anupper and a lower mold blade. In casting type and high quads, the upperand lower mold blades are latched together and the lead is cast againsttheir aligned ends. To cast low quads, the upper and lower mold bladesare unlatched from each other, the lower surface of the upper mold bladebeing used to form the top of the quad while the end of the lower moldblade is used to form one of its sides. Such unlatching is eiected inthese machines by a lever called a mold blade latch bell crank. Thisbell crank has been in turn controlled by a complicated mechanismoperated by differential movement of the upper and lower centering pinspring abutments, caused by the use of a steel space matrix whichprevents the normal descent of the centering pin.

This interference with the descent of the centering pin mechanismresults in an undue compression oi the centering pin spring, causing anincreased pressure and strain on the adjacent parts. Several furtherdisadvantages are caused thereby. Increased wear on the mold is causedby this added pressure. The battering or breaking away of the point ofthe centering pin under such increased pressure prevents it fromreacting properly in the cones of the type matrices, causing a lveryserious disadvantage in the resulting poor alignment of the type.Accordingly, the previous mechanism for controlling the mold blade latchbell crank not only is cumbersome and very complex, but considerablyshortens-` the life of various essential parts of the type castingmachine, causes poor results to be obtained, necessitates earlyreplacement of parts, and is otherwise disadvantageous.

A major object of this invention, therefore, is a method of, andapparatus for, the control of the mold blade latch bell crank which willeliminate the disadvantages of the structures now in use for thatpurpose.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the steel low quadmatrix now used to prevent the centering pin from descending as far asit does in a matrix for casting type, and to use in its place a low quadmatrix which will not so interfere with the descent of the centeringpin.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a controllingmechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank which will operate withsuchva novel type of low quad matrix.

A further object of this invention is to prevent the battering orbreaking away of the point of the centering pin, to lessen the wear uponthe mold, and to prevent the strain on the parts which result from theuse of the present devices for controlling the mold blade latch bellcrank,

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fluid pressurecontrol of the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic type castingmachine.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to ourimprovements, the invention consists in the steps, parts andcombinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with theunderstanding that the several necessary elements comprising ourinvention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangementwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In carrying out the principles of our invention,

the usual steel low quad matrix is replaced by a novel type of matrixprovided with a cone that extends into the matrix further than does thecone in the usual matrix for casting characters or high quads. rlhisavoids the undue compression of the centering pin spring with theresulting disadvantages already outlined above, and causes an additionaldescent or throw to the centering pin and its adjacent parts. This addedthrow operates the mold blade latch bell crank by apparatus to be morefully described hereinf,

after. As already noted, such apparatus is preferably of a fluidpressure type, and greatly simplifies the structure of this particularpart of the automatic type casting machine. v

In order to make our invention more clearly understood, we have shown inthe accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practicaleifect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applicationsto the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation,

have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of that part of an automatic type castingmachine that is commonly called the bridge, showing our inventionassociated with the parts now used in such machine.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the position of certain parts justbefore a character or high quad is cast.

Figure 3 is a similar sectional view showing the ico VRcss position ofthe same parts preparatory to casting a low quad.

Figure 4 is a perspective View showing in detail the form of rockinglever used in our invention to coact with the lower centering springabutment. y

Figure 5 is a sectional View, taken upon the section indicated by theline 5 5 in Figure 2, showing the detail of certain parts of themachine,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the mold blade and the parts associatedtherewith.

Figure 7 is a view, taken in longitudinal section, of the novel matrixused in my invention for casting low quads, and Figure 8 is a similarlongitudinal section of the present matrix used to cast high quads orcharacters, for comparison therewith.

Before considering in detail the structure shown in the drawings, it isbelieved best to review briefly some of the general factors involved.The usual metal type used by printers is composed of an elongated,rectangular block called the body, at the upper surface of which, calledthe face, is found the character to be printed. Thus, the character isintegrally superposed on the plane formed by the upper surface of thebody, and this plane is uniform when a number of type are set up. Forspacing, two types of spaces termed high and low, are used. Such spaceswill for convenience be termed quads herein, which is intended toinclude both the spaces and the quadrats used in printing. The highquads are similar to the body portion of type used to print characters,and their upper surface is even with the plane previously referred to.In certain types of work, such as in making electrotype plates, highquads should be used. The low quads, which, as their name implies, arenot as long as the high quads, give an increased clearance between theirupper surface and the paper, and are used in certain other types ofwork. Naturally, provisions are made in the casting apparatus forcasting both kinds of quads.

The face of type for characters and high quads are formed by castingsuitable metal against the bottom surface of a matrix, indicated by thenumeral 1 in the drawings. Such bottom surface or face of the matrix hasindented therein the character which it is desired to cast. Thematrices, one for each character, are cariied in a matrix case 2, inturn supported by a sliding frame 3, which slides in the carrying frame4, By this arrangement, operated in a manner well known to the art, thematrix case may be moved to bring any desired matrix under the centeringpin 5 and over the mold aperture. The centering pin is then lowered bythe bridge lever 6, the point of the centering pin entering a conicalrecess 7 in the end of the matrix to center it and hold it firmlyagainst the mold, indicated generally at 8. Figure 2 shows the parts inthis position, the other matrices, matrix case, etc., being omitted forclearness.

The type is cast in a rectangular recess 9 in the mold, one side of thisrecess being formed by a surface of the cross block 1G. The oppositeside of the recess is formed by the ends of the lower mold blade 11 andupper mold blade 12, which have a snug but sliding fit in a slot formedin the mold 8. By drawing this blade out the desired distance, thedifferent widths or set size of the type may be accommodated. Theremaining sides of the recess 9 are formed by the sides of this slot.

As shown in Figure 2, the ends of the upper and lower mold blades arekept in alignment for casting characters or high quads, and, as thisconstitutes the majority of the work, they are latched together in thisrelationship by the mold blade latch 13. Figure 3 shows the posiiton ofthese parts in casting low quads. The upper and lower mold blades havebeen unlatched from each other, the upper blade held in its closedposition and the lower blade drawn out the desired distance. It will beseen that the lower surface of the upper mold blade now fo-rms the topboundary of the recess. The operation of unlatching the blades andholding the upper one closed is accomplished in a Well known manner bythe mold blade latch bell crank 14.

From the drawings, it will be noticed that the connections for movingthe centering pin 5 operate through a centering pin spring 15, providedwith an upper centering pin spring abutment 16 and a lower centering pinspring abutment 17. The matrix heretofore used for casting low quads wasnot provided with the conical depression found in the other matrices,and prevented the point of centering pin from descending any lower thanthe upper plane surface of the matrix. This caused a compression ofspring 15 when the centering pin descended upon such a low quad matrix,with a resultant relative movement of the centering pin spring abutments16 and 17. Heretofore such relative movement of these abutments wasutilized, through a complicated train of mechanism, to operate the moldblade latch bell crank 14. Numerous disadvantages-of this priorcontrolling mechanism have already been pointed out at the beginning ofthis specication.

In the illustrated form of our invention we use, for casting a low quad,a special type of low quad matrix 18, shown in Figure 7. The differencesbetween it and the usual composition matrix, shown in Figure 8, may bereadily appreciated by a comparison of thesev two figures. In the novellow quad matrix 18, the conical recess 19, while similar in shape to therecess 7, extends some distance further with the matrix. We have foundthat in extending it six points deeper, suitable operation will result,but such distance is, of course, merely given by way of example.

The extra deep recess 19 not only prevents any 2.5 compression of spring15 in casting a low quad, but permits the centering pin to descend evenfarther than does the usual composition matrix. This added throw bringstwo pins 20, located at opposite sides of the lower centering pin springabutment, into operative engagement with a bifurcated rocking lever, 2l.This lever, which may have a magnifying action to increase the motioncaused by the additional descent of the pin, is mounted on a bridgebracket 22, in turn supported on the bridge 23. An adjustable stop screw24, with a locking nut 25, is provided at a convenient part of the lever21 to hold it in the desired inoperative position against the tension ofspring 26. The rocking lever is also provided 140 with an adjustablevalve actuating screw 27, having a locking nut 28. This screw cooperateswith an adjacent valve stem 29.

Preparatory to operation, the screws 24 and 27 are adjusted so that therocking lever 21 has l145 the inoperative position shown in Figure 2. Asthere shown, when the centering pin descends into the recess 7 of theusual composition matrix, the pins 20 may touch, but will not operatethe rOCkng lever, When the centering pin descends 150 ioo into therecess 19 of the novel low quad matrix 18, however, the lever 21 will beoperated, as shown in Figure 3, to lift the valve stem 29.

Mounted on bracket 22 are certain fluid pressure devices, including avalve having a valve head 30 connected to and movable with the valvestem 29 and resiliently held against its cooperating valve seat` Thevalve controls the ilow of fluid to the motor composed of cylinder 31and plunger 32. In the form illustrated, the fluid used is compressedair, and is led from any convenient source by pipe 33 to the valvechamber 34. The chamber 35 below the valve head is connected by theclosed passageway 36 to the interior of cylinder 31. A passageway 37 isprovided to permit free access from chamber 35 to the atmosphere, and isexposed by a shoulder 38 on the valve stem 29 when the valve is inclosed position.

Normally, the valve is held closed by spring 39 and the inside of thecylinder 31 is connected to the atmosphere through passageways 36 and37. But when the screw 27 on lever 21 lifts the valve stem 29 thepassageway 37 is shut off and the valve 30 opens to admit compressed airthrough passage 36 to the inside of cylinder 3l, moving plunger 32 tothe right, as viewed in Figure 5. When lever 21 returns to itsinoperative position, the valve 30 closes, and shoulder 38 exposespassageway 37 to release the compressed air therein.

Pivotally mounted on a downward extension of bracket 22 is a lever 40that at one end contacts and has operative engagement with the moldblade latch bell crank 14. At its opposite end, the lever is providedwith an adjustable contact screw 41, provided with a lock nut 42.Through this lever, the movements of the plunger 32, just described,operate the mold blade latch bell crank to unlatch the upper and lowermold blades and hold the upper mold blade in its closed position. Whenthe air pressure behind the plunger is released, the restoringresiliency of the bell crank 14 acts through lever 40 to push plunger 32into its inoperative position in cylinder 31.

It will thus be seen that We have provided a novel control mechanism foractuating the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic type castingmachine, which replaces the low quad matrix and the cumbersome andcomplicated device heretofore used for that purpose. With our device theundue compression of the centering pin spring previously occurring whencasting low quads is avoided, together with the resultant strain on theparts, the battering of the point of the centering pin With subsequentpoor alignment of the type cast, and the additional wear of the partsunder the added pressure.

While We have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselvesto the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.Thus, one of the pins 20 may act directly upon the valve stem of a valvecorresponding to valve 30; the cylinder 31 and plunger 32 may be soplaced as to act directly upon the mold blade latch bell crank 14; thefluid pressure may be caused by a vacuum or a liquid, in lieu ofcompressed air; and the novel low quad matrix may be used to operateother types of control mechanisms, including mechanical controls. Suchchanges are suggested, merely by way of example, to illustrate thedifferent constructions that Would occur to one skilled in the art inmodifying the illustrated form of the invention while still embodyingthe principles thereof.

We claim:

1. Control mechanism for a part of an automatic type casting machinewhich comprises a centering pin, means permitting the centering pin todescend, in the operation in which such part is involved, a distancedifferent from that in other operations, fluid operated means foractuating said part, and means associated with the centering pin tocause such different descent to operate such fluid operated means.

2. Control mechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank of an automaticcasting machine, which comprises a centering pin, a matrix permittingthe centering pin to descend, in casting operations, a distancedifferent from that in other casting operations, a part moving with thecentering pin, fluid pressure means for actuating the mold blade latchbell crank, and means causing such part to operate the fluid pressuremeans on such a different descent.

3. Control mechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank of an automaticcasting machine, which comprises a centering pin, a matrix permittingthe centering pin to descend, in casting operations, a distancedifferent from that in other casting operations, a fluid pressure motorfor actuating the mold blade latch bell crank, a valve controlling theflow of fluid to such motor, a part moving with the centering pin, andmeans operated by such part for opening said valve upon such differentdescent of the centering pin.

4. An attachment for automatic type casting machines to operate the moldblade latch bell crank which comprises a supporting bracket, a fluidmotor thereon, a valve thereon for controlling the ow of Huid to themotor, means thereon whereby the fluid motor actuates the mold bladelatch bell crank, and other means thereon whereby a part moving with thecentering pin actuates the valve.

5. An attachment for automatic type casting machines to operate the moldblade latch bell crank which comprises a supporting bracket, a fluidmotor thereon, a valve thereon for controlling the ilow of fluid to themotor, a lever thereon whereby the fluid motor actuates the mold bladelatch bell crank, and a second lever thereon whereby a part moving withthe centering pin actuates the valve.

ARTHUR H. BECK. FRANK C. BOTZ.

